I can’t forgive J.J. Rawlings – Victor Smith

• Posted on May 27, 2017
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Former Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Victor Smith says he was hurt by certain actions of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

The former special assistant and director of public affairs at Rawlings’ office was fired by J.J Rawlings in 2008 via text message.

He was subsequently asked to vacate his official residence with a letter to the Chief of Staff at the Castle, notifying the State, since he was on the payroll of government.

The reason for his dismissal according to sources was because he supported the candidature John Mahama as running mate to late Prof Atta Mills.

Even though the office of the former President until now has been very quiet on the dismissal, Victor Smith said he is still hurt.

On Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, he said what broke the camel’s back is when Mr. Rawlings decided to support New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of the elections.

“I saw it on national television, just three weeks to elections and he [Rawlings] was cracking jokes and laughing with our opponent. “We were preparing to go to war and our commander-in-chief was seen hobnobbing with the opponent. I’m pained” he bemoaned.

Mr. Smith who was the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Abuakwa North said majority of party members were demoralised seeing their founder with the NDC.

“The man [Rawlings] we call our founder has caused some of us pain. We worked so hard, travelling at night campaign and your founder is hobnobbing with the chief opponent on national television. I cried” he stressed.

When asked by Ekosii Sen host KABA if he will ever be able to forgive Jerry Rawlings, Victor Smith retorted “I’m not sure”.

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